(Crossville, TN) The 110th U.S. Open Chess Championship will be held at the Indianapolis Marriott East, August 1-9. Unlike the recently concluded U.S. Invitational Chess Championship, this event is open to all United States Chess Federation (USCF) members, and the top five finishers will qualify for the 2010 U.S. Invitational Chess Championship.

The unique Swiss System pairing program will allow hundreds of members to participate in a variety of playing schedules during the nine day span. The “Open,” is not just a tournament; it is a traditional event which has grown into a chess festival, with many side events and activities. Helping the USCF celebrate this, its 70th year will be:
Hikaru Nakamura: The newly crowned, 21-year-old U.S. Invitational Champion has agreed to play ALL CHALLENGERS in a simultaneous exhibition on August 7th. Play will begin at 1:00 pm.

and

Alexandra Kosteniuk: The reigning Women’s World Champion, now residing in Florida, will play a 50 board simultaneous exhibition on August 5th at 6:00 pm.

Also on hand will be the top high school players from every state in the country. They will be playing in the Arnold Denker Tournament of High School Champions, which is held in conjunction with the U.S. Open every year.

The second Tournament of College Champions is also scheduled to take place during the U.S. Open.

The USCF business meetings are also held during this frenzied week. Committee workshops begin on Wednesday, August 5th, and end with the USCF Delegate’s Meeting on Saturday and Sunday, August 8-9.

Recognition of our top volunteers and patrons will take place during the Awards Luncheon on Saturday, August 8. During the luncheon, the Hall of Fame will induct its newest members: the late chess journalist Burt Hochberg and Grandmaster John Fedorowicz of New York.

For more information about these activities and scheduling, please check out the USCF web site. The United States Chess Federation (USCF), founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and is now headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee. USCF is devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. It promotes the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, and as a means for the improvement of society. The USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization with over 80,000 members. For additional information on the USCF see: http://www.uschess.org.